By integrating advanced technologies, community engagement, and policy innovation, the MLL in Turin aims to deliver sustainable, inclusive, and efficient transportation solutions tailored to diverse urban and rural needs.
Turin’s Mobility Living Lab aims to:
- Reduce private car dependency: By offering shared mobility services like car-sharing and bike-sharing, the lab focuses on decreasing car ownership and encouraging sustainable travel behavior.
- Create a unified transport ecosystem: The integration of public transportation with private and shared services ensures seamless multimodal journeys.
- Mitigate environmental impact: The project targets a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and air pollution by promoting electric and low-emission vehicles.
- Enhance accessibility and social inclusion: Specific efforts are made to provide mobility solutions to underserved areas and vulnerable populations, bridging the gap in transport equity.
Key Features of Turin’s MLL
- Holistic Approach to Mobility: The MLL addresses diverse mobility needs across various geographical contexts. Urban centers focus on reducing congestion, while peri-urban and rural areas emphasize accessibility improvements. This comprehensive approach ensures equitable transport solutions for all.
- Integration of Mobility Services: The “SmartMove by GEMINI” app is at the core of this integration, enabling users to plan, book, and pay for multimodal journeys seamlessly. Services include car-sharing fleets equipped with electric vehicles, bike-sharing options for short trips, and coordinated public transit schedules.
- Community Collaboration and Engagement: Local stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and transport operators, actively participate in the MLL’s development. Community workshops and co-design sessions have led to the creation of tailored mobility solutions, fostering a sense of ownership among users.
- Technological Innovation: Advanced analytics and modeling tools are employed to monitor mobility patterns, user preferences, and environmental impacts. These insights guide continuous improvements and help achieve the lab’s sustainability goals.
- Policy Alignment: The MLL aligns with local and regional policies on sustainability and urban planning. It actively supports Turin’s ambitions to become a green and smart city, enhancing its role as a mobility innovation hub in Europe.
Preliminary Results and Impacts
- Traffic and Emission Reductions: Initial results show a measurable decline in traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions in pilot areas. For instance, shared mobility services have replaced a significant number of single-occupancy car trips.
- Improved Connectivity: New shared mobility options have been introduced in areas with limited public transport, offering affordable and convenient alternatives for residents.
- User Engagement: Surveys reveal high satisfaction rates among participants, particularly regarding the convenience and affordability of integrated services. Workshops have also highlighted increased awareness of sustainable transport options.
Future Initiatives
Turin’s MLL will build on its early successes by:
- Scaling Operations: Expanding the geographic coverage of shared mobility services to include more neighborhoods and rural areas.
- Enhancing Digital Tools: Upgrading the “SmartMove” app with real-time updates, personalized travel recommendations, and incentives for sustainable travel behavior.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborating with additional mobility operators and technology providers to diversify and improve service offerings.
- Policy Development: Advocating for supportive regulatory frameworks that prioritize sustainable mobility solutions.
Challenges and Solutions
- Infrastructure Gaps: Addressing the lack of charging stations and bike lanes by coordinating with municipal authorities to accelerate infrastructure development.
- Behavioral Barriers: Conducting targeted awareness campaigns to encourage the shift from car ownership to shared mobility options.
- Data Integration: Overcoming technical challenges in integrating various service providers’ platforms into a cohesive MaaS ecosystem.
Turin’s Mobility Living Lab exemplifies how innovative approaches can transform urban and regional mobility. By prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and technological advancement, the lab not only addresses current transport challenges but also sets a benchmark for other cities to follow.
As part of the GEMINI project, Turin is paving the way toward a future where green and efficient mobility solutions are accessible to all.
Figure 2: “SmartMove by GEMINI” MaaS Mobile app